Higashyama Zoo

The zoo was quite an experience, and one we wouldn't care to do again. I was astounded at the neglect and abominable conditions in Nagoya's zoo. I guess I figured that in a country that cares so much for its environment, that country would take as much care with the animals. I was wrong. If you look at the cages, they are all very small, rusted metal and concrete; on occasion you will see a random tree branch lying on the ground. Any and all of the enclosures that have water are probably the most appalling. I am sad to say the water was so filthy that you couldn't see through it, no matter how deep. The polar bears have a green tinge to their fur from the algae growing in their tanks. In Seattle, the seals are very playful and always swimming around, not so in Nagoya's zoo. The seals were laying out either half-way or completely and not even moving around at all, and no, it wasn't because of the heat, as it was a relatively cool day in October that we went. If I was a seal, I wouldn't want to be swimming, breathing, and drinking that sludge either. I have never considered myself to be an animal rights activist, after seeing this atrocity, I can see why people are motivated to such extremes.

The only highlight to our zoo trip was the amusement park that is attached to it. The Ferris wheel was huge and one of the pictures shows my brainless son hanging half his body out of it waving at me!